Making Waves
Self-Released, 2024
9/10
The debut album from Sam Edelston, and it’s a classic rock inspired effort that uses dulcimer to flesh out both originals and covers.
“Looking At The Wave”, an original, opens with Edelston’s meticulous dulcimer and expressive voice amid Chris Howard’s lively percussion, and “Wild Horses” is an intimate moment of beauty via Kevin Kelly’s soft bass and Shawn Murray’s restrained drums.
Moving closer to the middle, the always playful “Sweet Caroline” offers one of the most atypical versions of the Neil Diamond hit, while Teddy Parker’s distinct voice and Edelston’s hammered dulcimer make a lush climate across “Colour My World”.
Nearing the end, the rowdy yet precise “Ace Of Spades” emits a different kind of grit for the Motorhead cover, and “You And Me On The Rock” puts Parker’s upbeat violin to good use that helps illuminate the sunny melodies.
The first of its kind as far as rock music featuring a dulcimer, you may have heard these songs before, but they’ve never sounded like this, and that’s a big part of the appeal.
Travels well with: Alex Lubet- Songs In The Time Of Plague; Nic Vardanega- New Beginning